Do butterflies erupt in your stomach at the thought of flying? You’re not alone! Fear of flying is a common worry. Flying can be a scary experience for some people. The thought of being up in the air, far away from the ground, can trigger feelings of anxiety and fear. But don’t let it clip your wings and stop you from exploring amazing destinations. In this article, I share some tips to turn your next flight into a smooth and enjoyable journey.
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Understand Your Fear
The first step to conquering your fear of flying is to understand where it comes from. Is it a fear of heights, a fear of loss of control, or a fear of turbulence? By identifying the root cause of your fear, you can start to address it more effectively.
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Educate Yourself
Knowledge is power when it comes to overcoming fear. Take the time to learn more about how aeroplanes work, the safety measures in place, and the statistics that show flying is one of the safest modes of transportation. Understanding the facts can help alleviate irrational fears and reassure you of your safety.
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Practice Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and visualization can help calm your nerves during the flight. Practice these techniques before your flight and use them as needed to keep anxiety at bay. Focus on slow, deep breaths and visualize yourself feeling calm and comfortable in the air.
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Stay Distracted
Keep your mind occupied during the flight to prevent anxious thoughts from taking over. Bring along books, movies, music, or games to distract yourself and pass the time. Engage in conversation with your travel companions or strike up a chat with the flight attendants – sometimes, a friendly conversation can be just the distraction you need.
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Choose Your Seat Wisely
If certain aspects of flying trigger your anxiety, such as turbulence or engine noise, choose a seat that helps minimize these factors. Seats over the wings tend to experience less turbulence, while seats near the front of the plane are quieter and offer a smoother ride.
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Communicate with the Crew
Don’t hesitate to communicate your fears and concerns to the flight attendants. They are trained to handle nervous flyers and can offer reassurance and support throughout the flight. Knowing that you have a supportive crew looking out for you can help ease your anxiety.
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Seek Professional Help
If your fear of flying is severe or significantly impacts your life, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. Therapy, counselling, or specialized programs for fear of flying can provide you with coping strategies and tools to manage your anxiety more effectively.
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Take Small Steps
Conquering your fear of flying won’t happen overnight, and that’s okay. Take small steps towards facing your fear, such as taking short flights or gradually increasing the length of your flights over time. Celebrate your progress and be patient with yourself as you work towards overcoming your fear.
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Final Thoughts
Fear of flying is a common phobia, but it doesn’t have to control your life or prevent you from travelling. By understanding your fear, educating yourself, practising relaxation techniques, staying distracted, choosing your seat wisely, communicating with the crew, seeking professional help if needed, and taking small steps towards facing your fear, you can conquer your fear of flying and enjoy a calmer and more enjoyable flight experience.
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This article was first published on 24th March 2024 and updated on March 26th, 2024 at 2:08 pm
chidiogo-akaelu
Chidiogo Shalom Akaelu holds a degree in English and Literary Studies, from the University of Nigeria. She is a freelance writer, editor and founder of Loana Press, a budding online publishing outlet.
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